Putin Expresses Regret Over Azerbaijan Airlines Tragedy, Yet Sidesteps Blame on Russia

The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, has expressed regret to the leader of neighboring Azerbaijan regarding the shooting down of a commercial aircraft within Russian airspace, which resulted in the fatalities of 38 individuals – yet refrained from indicating that Russia bore responsibility.

In his initial remarks concerning the crash on Christmas Day, Putin stated that the “tragic event” took place while Russian air defense systems were actively countering Ukrainian drones.

Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky asserted that Russia ought to “cease disseminating false information” regarding the attack.

The aircraft reportedly came under assault from Russian air defense systems while attempting to land in Chechnya, compelling it to reroute across the Caspian Sea.

It crash-landed in Kazakhstan, resulting in the deaths of 38 of the 67 individuals aboard.

On Saturday, the Kremlin issued a statement remarking that Putin had conversed with Azerbaijan’s leader, Ilham Aliyev, via telephone.

“(President) Vladimir Putin expressed regret for the tragic occurrence that transpired in Russian airspace and once more conveyed his profound and heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families, wishing a swift recovery for the injured,” it stated.

However, the Kremlin’s account did not provide a direct acknowledgment that a Russian missile had hit the aircraft.

Prior to Saturday, the Kremlin had declined to disclose its involvement in the crash. Nonetheless, Russian aviation authorities remarked that the situation in the area was “extremely complex” due to Ukrainian drone assaults on Chechnya.

Aviation specialists and others in Azerbaijan suspect that the plane’s GPS systems were disrupted by electronic jamming, which was subsequently damaged by debris from Russian air defense missile explosions.

Survivors previously recounted hearing loud explosions before the aircraft went down, implying it had been targeted.

While Azerbaijan has not formally accused Russia this week, the country’s transport minister mentioned that the plane experienced “external interference” and sustained damage both internally and externally during its landing attempts.

On Friday, US defense officials also indicated that they believed Russia was liable for the downing.

In a statement released shortly after the Kremlin’s, Zelensky noted that the damage to the aircraft’s fuselage was “very reminiscent of an air defense missile strike,” insisting that Russia “must offer clear explanations.”

“The primary focus now is a comprehensive investigation that will clarify all inquiries regarding what truly took place.”

During the Saturday conversation, Putin acknowledged that the Azerbaijan Airlines plane had made multiple attempts to land at Grozny airport in Chechnya on December 25.

At that time, Grozny in Chechnya, along with Mozdok and Vladikavkaz in North Ossetia, were under assault by Ukrainian drones, and Russian air defense systems had thwarted those attacks, according to Putin’s statement conveyed by the Kremlin.

Moscow indicated that Russian investigators had initiated a criminal inquiry. Azerbaijan had previously declared it would commence an investigation.

The Kremlin mentioned that agencies from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia were “cooperating closely at the site of the incident in the Aktau region.”